Both Effexor and gabapentin (and Cymbalta) can cause nasty withdrawal symptoms within a few hours of missing a dose if you try to stop cold turkey, but everyone is different, so some people are more affected than others. My physicians warned me about this when we considered medications because I tend to react to medications.

You mentioned you’re tapering—could you maybe try tapering more slowly?

I’ve never been on any medications like those for my chronic pain. It’s not that it’s a bad thing, but I’m very sensitive to medications so I tend not to do well with systemic medications. Even my Neurology NP warned me to be cautious with Cymbalta because she had multiple patients who struggled to taper off it, and with my sensitivity I’d have to be willing to take the risk.

I hope maybe with a slower taper, you’ll be able to transition off? Best of luck to you.